Assisted Living Robotics in Sweden

In the future, more and more people will need assistance but fewer nurses will be available. New technologies may help to overcome this gap. One new promising technology is Assistive Living Robotics, ALR that can support elderly and disabled people to stay at home longer and with remote support from family and caregivers.

The Swedish market is a front runner in adopting new technologies and setting new consumer trends. Products can be tested where there already are demanding customers and high levels of technical sophistication exists.

Swedish Robotdalen, a world-leading business and technology cluster is one of the main research and development supporters. Established 2003 after winning the VINNVÄXT prize awarded by the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation Systems, VINNOVA, Robotdalen has established Health Robotics as one of its core research and development areas and works as national Swedish hub for coordinating and supplying competence and resources in Sweden and interantionally.

One leading partner is the Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology (SIAT), a national resource centre on assistive technology and accessibility for persons with disabilities. SIAT works for full participation and equality for persons with disabilities by ensuring access to high-quality assistive technology, an effective provision of assistive devices and an accessible environment.

SIAT and Robotdalen have established close relations to develop and evaluate the potential of assistive robotics and its application for elderly and impaired people.